FORGET Barbados – how about Bournemouth for the perfect beach wedding?

From next spring the resort will become the first in the UK to offer beach hut ceremonies.

Couples will be able to host up to 400 guests in a marquee on the sand as they tie the knot.

Bellissimo Wedding Planners will organise the nuptials, which cost from £999 and will run between April and October.

Melanie Kiani, director of Bellissimo, said: “Most couples like their wedding day to be different, the new beach hut is unique and we can provide every last detail – catering, flowers, styling and décor, music – you name it.

“Couples can even arrive at the ceremony on a decorated land train chugging along the prom or sweep down to the beach in a beautifully decorated cliff lift. The possibilities are endless.”

Tourism bosses are hoping couples will choose Bournemouth over destinations further afield.

Mark Smith, director of tourism, said: “There’s no doubt that many couples want to get married on the beach but until now have had to travel abroad, so we’re delighted to be able to offer superb weddings in the very ultimate beach setting.

“We think this will be of huge appeal to young couples who want to keep an eye on wedding budgets but dream of getting married on the beach and to those who want all their family and friends present.”

Registration services manager, Helen Rigg, said registrars in Bournemouth received around 60 enquiries a year for beach weddings.

The idea was the brainchild of Cllr Rod Cooper, tourism portfolio holder. He said: “It’s wonderful to see this exciting project come to fruition.

“I can’t think of anywhere better to say: ‘I do’ than right on the sands here in Bournemouth.”